Office building design is evolving to meet the needs of changing tenant demands and trends, among them a balance of live/work/play through on‑demand amenities like childcare, laundry services, restaurants and more. At O.CON: The Office Conference, Jinger Tapia, principal, design at Ware Malcomb, will help attendees gain understanding that will prepare them for the next shift in building design. From green initiatives to smart buildings to ride-sharing, there is plenty of ground to cover. Below is an early look at what Tapia will discuss.

NAIOP: How are modern properties with an eye to the future built differently than a traditional suburban office park or high-rise?

Tapia: Modern properties are looking for more sustainable ways to build and to incorporate more technology into the office buildings. We are seeing a demand for technology relating to sustainability (i.e., smart building skins and high-efficiency HVAC components). Modern properties have also started to focus on the well-being of the building occupants and incorporate new standards such as the WELL Building Standard.

NAIOP: What’s the best way for investors and developers to stay ahead of changing demands in an environment rife with disruptive technologies?

Tapia: The architecture and construction industry is typically slow to adapt to new technologies. This is due to the high cost of entry for new technologies and the fact that this cost cannot compete with traditional building materials in order to meet a client’s pro forma. As a result, the architecture of office buildings needs to be flexible enough to accommodate future renovations and retrofits as technology evolves and becomes more adaptable.

NAIOP: How might parking needs change with the increases in ride-sharing and driverless cars?

Tapia: Today we are seeing an increase in parking demands due to the drop in square foot per person requirements within the office. We are even seeing the requirement of 5/1000+ in some cases. As the ride-sharing economy grows and there is wider acceptance of driverless cars, we may see parking needs changing back to the current 4/1000 requirement in suburban markets. We do not expect parking needs to change drastically in urban markets anytime soon due to increasing public transportation availability and increasing use of ride-sharing companies.

NAIOP’s O.CON: The Office Conference leads the conversation on what’s driving future of office. Hear from Tapia and other industry leaders Nov. 1-2 in Los Angeles, California. View the full agenda and register today.